Divergent

By: Veronica Roth

Narrated by: Emma Galvin

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are - and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves.... or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series - dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

©2011 Veronica Roth (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Though Galvin’s narration is concentrated on giving Tris the perfect voice, she never neglects the secondary characters. Poignant moments with Tris’s mother and Four, her leader and love, are subtly nuanced to let listeners hear the terror Tris often hides.... listeners will hold their breath waiting to see if she can survive the day." ( AudioFile)

Enthralling dystopian culture

Where does Divergent rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Fairly High.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tris is a very compelling character as you follow her decisions and reactions. I personally like her cognitive processes and motivations.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

Emma's performance is top notch and helps the listener envision the environment and characters in beautiful emotional detail.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Survival of the odd.

Skeptical at 1st

Was leary when it first got started....I love love love Hungar Games and was so afraid it'd be too similar....well.......this would make the best movie ...it is that good.....just makes you think if our government could have that much control over us and we not know.....the kids story lines are amazing.....just finished this one last night and can't wait to start part 2.....don't be afraid to listen to this one.....I had to laugh when it said it's a children book...I'm almost 58....kid at heart mayb. ;)

A Must Read!

Would you consider the audio edition of Divergent to be better than the print version?

I would not consider the audio version of Divergent to be better than the print version. Either way, it is a great story!

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

Divergent is similar to The Hunger Games.

Which scene was your favorite?

I love the scene where Beatrice has to jump into the dauntless headquarters for the first time.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down. I had to know the end, and I can not wait to read the next 2 books!!!

Not the best, but not bad

The female who narrates the book does a terrible impression of the male voices and for the regular story narration I found her speech to be a little more clipped than I'd like for this story.

I wanted to listen to the books during my commute because I felt the movies lacked detail. The book was good, not amazing, but better than the movie by far!

vt. fan

What did you love best about Divergent?

the story was so well written.. Roth drew me in from the first paragraph and kept me mesmorized till the last.

What did you like best about this story?

the dystopian world Roth created

Which character – as performed by Emma Galvin – was your favorite?

Tris

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Al tried to apologized for almost killing Tris. Galvin narrated to emotions of the scene perfectly.

Any additional comments?

Loved the whole series and highly recommend. Galvin was perfect as narrator. If you like Galvin try Kresley Cole "Poison Princess" also a Dystopian world and Galvin is great.

9-10 Teenage girls would give it a 10-10

Any additional comments?

The entire thing is fascinating. Wonderful story. The only thing that made me want to move the speed of the narration up was the constant focus on the newly emerging feelings of a 16 girl. Ugh. I'm sure its accurate and all, but I don't need to read about her getting chills and cold sweats every time the 18 year old boy even accidentally brushed by her shoulder. Teenage love. Got it. Move on. Other then that. Awesome.

Divergent: A Dystopian Delight

Divergent launched me into the world of audio books with it's exciting, fast-paced narration, imaginatively likable characters and subtle humor. If you like themes of dystopian futures, action packed plots, and a hint of romance, this book will be right up your alley.

While Divergent is similar to that of the Hunger Games (and The Giver, as well) in its overall themes, it doesn't ever feel like a copycat or knockoff. The characters have their own personalities, each that stick with you even when you aren't reading the book. I didn't ever want to stop listening, as Emma Galvin did a phenomenal job bringing a voice to the novel that I could never have done.

I seriously enjoyed this book--and plan on following this series to its completion!

Plot Synopsis:

Remaining true to the dystopian theme; Chicago is no longer the thriving, windy city we have come to know and love. Instead, it is divided into five separate "factions," each with a completely different characteristic that defines them.

Abnegation: The Selfless
Amity: The Peaceful
Candor: The Honest
Dauntless: The Brave
Erudite: The Intelligent

Divergent takes flight as the leading character Beatrice (aka Tris) faces the prospect of initiation, in which she must choose whether to remain in her faction, Abnegation, or transfer to one of the other four factions.

Abnegation has never felt truly like her home, as she feels that she cannot honestly consider herself a selfless person. Yet, if she leaves, she must leave her family behind for good and risk unhappiness in a new faction--or worse, be named factionless.

Amid the process of initiation, she, among the other initiates, takes a placement test that is meant to help guide her to the faction that fits her personality best.The test is meant for one, and only one, result. When Tris is informed her results are inconclusive and she is therefore "Divergent," she finds herself in a dangerous situation. To be Divergent in this world is unspeakable and would result in her extermination. Tris realizes she must do whatever she can to keep people from knowing the truth about her.

When she chooses a faction that is not Abnigation, she is thrust into an unknown world where her only objective is to survive. Little does she know how truly hard that will be...

It's no Hunger Games

I think this book was meant to attract the young reader through creating a story similar to Hunger Games. It doesn't work. Too many things just don't work. I managed to make it through the first book but quit half way through the second. Perhaps watching the movie first will help.

Twilight without the vampires and maybe less plot

Would you try another book from Veronica Roth and/or Emma Galvin?

Emma Galvin was a good narrator, fairly expressive, and a nice voice, so I'd listen to her again. Veronica Roth, probably not though, just too shallow of a book for me.

What was most disappointing about Veronica Roth’s story?

Almost no story really happened in this book, it had a lot of the main character noticing touches and brushes and what not.

Which character – as performed by Emma Galvin – was your favorite?

Tris, the main character

Was Divergent worth the listening time?

Not really, I may or may not recommend this book to others.

Loved the first half but not the second

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book to any friends. The first half of the book sets up a backdrop of the world and introduces us to an intelligent but conflicted protaganist. She goes on the hero's journey. Along the way, however, she doesn't grow - quite the opposite. In her journey, Tris transforms from a marvelously complex person to a 1 dimensional character. It was enough to completely derail any sense of disbelief as it almost seemed like the later Tris was almost a rough draft of the girl from the 1st half of the novel. I would hate to send a friend down the same frustrating tale.

Would you ever listen to anything by Veronica Roth again?

I will likely never listen to anything else by Veronica Roth. I care little for plot holes or realism or anything else out of my books. I just want to hear a story. Despite the exemplary reading by Emma Galvin, Veronica Roth's narrative absolutely refused to tell me a story.

Which character – as performed by Emma Galvin – was your favorite?

While I applaud Emma's voice acting, my favorite was her representation of Christine. The delicate inflections made it easy to understand Christine, almost to knowing how Christine was likely gesticulating while speaking.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Nope.